In an environment ridden with conflict and uncertainty, the Arts Council of Pakistan (in Karachi) is celebrating culture with an unprecedented show of artistic exuberance and creative excellence. What does this mean?

Well, there are many ways in which I could underline the significance of the World Culture Festival that was launched in Karachi on Thursday. It will continue for more than a month, presenting an entire range of performances by groups invited from 40 countries.

But, essentially, the point to be made is that culture can heal a wounded society. It can be argued that lack of artistic, cultural and literary activities is one important reason why Pakistan is infested with religious extremism and intolerance. It is so difficult to be rational in our social and political behaviour.

Based on my encounter with the inaugural session and the main presentation on Friday, I would say that Karachi has never had this kind of commemoration of art and culture. There is a particular focus on visual arts, dance and theatre. We have an opportunity, here, to understand how art forms and cultural expressions can strengthen a society’s response to its social problems, such as conflict and violence and injustice.

Actually, I am happy to have this peg of the World Culture Festival because there is another issue that I want to write about this week. In my view, the two are interlinked in some ways. And what is that other issue?

Last week, my column was a rather grim and........

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